Three photos from my collection.

The first is from the Bradshaw studio of Traverse City. According to the Directory of Early Michigan Photographers, Albert J. Bradshaw operated that studio from 1895 to 1899.

On the back in pencil is Minnie Smith.

Minnie Smith.

There are four Minnie Smiths living in Grand Traverse County in 1900. Two are too old to be this girl,  Minnie C. Smith born in 1868 and Miny P. Smith born in 1871. One is too young, Minnie Gertrude Smith born in 1895.

The fourth is Minnie B. Smith, the daughter of John Smith and Nettie Paden. It is uncertain if this is the correct Minnie Smith. If so, she was born in 1882, nicknamed Midge, married Charles Hendricks, and died in 1953.

The second photograph is from the McManus Brothers studio. An unidentified woman stands in front of a painted backdrop. She leans against a chair with braid hanging from the arms. This chair appears in other photographs from the studio. A foot stool is nearby. The woman wears a dress with mutton-chop sleeves and had a pin at her neck.

 

An unidentified woman.

The third photo is an unidentified boy. It was taken by M. W. Jackson, who is not listed in the historic Michigan photographers book. The boy is seated. Behind the chair you can see the base of the stand that would be holding his head in place. A table, a curtain, and a rug are also visible.

Unidentified boy.

M. W. Jackson, Photographer, Traverse City, Mich.

Letitia Pfeiffer.  An Ebay purchase, was surprised to see her name written on the back because it wasn't mentioned in the description. Written on the front is "Bradshaw Traverse City Mich." in pencil, perhaps indicating that this was an early photograph by that studio, before he had obtained matting stock with his name stamped on it. Albert John Bradshaw operated his studio in Traverse City from 1895 to 1899.

Letitia Pfeiffer, circa 1895-1899.

Two unidentified men. No writing on the back of these photographs.

Wm. Boswell, PHOTOGRAPHER. TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. (circa 1900-1906).

A. J. Bradshaw Photor. Traverse City. Late 1890s (studio in operation in 1897).

Anthony John Maresh and Mary Ilene Nemecek. These photographs were purchased on Ebay at separate times.Unfortunately, I haven't kept track of who I was buying photos from. It was only after I laid my photos out that I realized three of them were of Mary (Nemecek) Maresh.

The first photo is almost certainly their wedding photograph. Anton Maresh, age 27 and the son of Jacob Maresh and Mary Eskstoyn,, was married on 5 June 1899 to Mary Nemecek, age 24 (her parents were not listed on the marriage record). The wedding took place at Provemont, Leelanau County, Michigan. Both were natives of Bohemia. Anton worked as a farmer and lived at Gills Pier, while Mary was a housekeeper living in Traverse City. Alex F, Zugolder, a priest, conducted the ceremony, which was witnessed by John Kolarik and Mary Novotny of Gills Pier.

Back of photo reads:

Mary Ilene Nemecek

Anthyony John Maresh

married @ PRUDMONT

June 5, 1899

Bradshaw, Traverse City, Mich. (late 1890s) Nothing written on the back, but this is clearly Mary (Nemecek) Maresh.

Bradshaw, Traverse City, Mich. (late 1890s) Nothing written on the back, but this is clearly Mary (Nemecek) Maresh.

Anthony Maresh was born in June 1872 and died in 1957. Mary (Nemecek) Maresh was born on 13 October 1874 and died on 3 June 1973. They are buried in the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Gills Pier.

Mary's obituary appeared in the Traverse City Record Eagle on 4 June 1973, page 6, column 4.